Watch CBS News

3 More Suspects Involved In Brutal Sexual Assault Case

DENVER (CBS4) – One Canadian man has been formally charged in connection with a disturbing sexual assault that occurred in a Denver hotel. Three of the man's friends are also considered suspects.

Colby James Messer, 30, has been charged with six counts of sexual assault in connection with a "brutal sexual assault of a 27-year-old woman."

"This is a sexual assault that not just involves multiple suspects but involves objects in a hotel room," said Denver District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.

Investigators say Messer was visiting Denver with several friends, also from Canada, in mid-November 2015. The charges allege that Messer met the victim at a Denver bar while she was celebrating her birthday. They allegedly took her back to the hotel room Messer was sharing with his friends, where the victim was repeatedly sexually assaulted.

"Her intention was to be celebrating and instead she becomes a victim of this horrible crime," said Kimbrough.

According to court documents, the victim said she was drinking with Messer and the others that night but couldn't remember how they got to the hotel room. When she woke up the next morning she told police it was clear she had been sexually assaulted. The victim immediately went to the hospital where police would later interview her.

Their investigation led to Messer and three other men as suspects. Messer was arrested when he returned to the U.S. on March 4.

"He was on a plane that landed in Las Vegas, Nevada and authorities met him on that plane and took him into custody," said Kimbrough.

He waived extradition and arrived in Denver on Tuesday. He appeared in court on Wednesday.

Kimbrough said police in Denver investigating the assault identified several suspects who had all returned to Canada. The DA's office will work with the Justice Department to pursue a case against the remaining three suspects.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.